Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival

By far the highlight of my Texan adventure was my invitation to the Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival which celebrated it’s 20th year this week. My thanks to South Texas Nature, Marci Fuller the rest of the Feastival team and my great friend and all round nice guy, Keith Hackland at Alamo Inn & B&B.

Met a whole new crowd of dedicated US birders – all of whom are now special friends.

Wader & raptor expert Kevin Karlson & TUB

Captain Robert Kirk of Princeton Press

A small glass of lemonade

TUB and the one and only Sharon ‘Birdchick’ Stiteler

TUB presenting at the festival

TUB with Dave Magpiong, Mandy Magpiong and a photobomber!

Good mate and Cornell Lab of Ornithology giant – Matt Young

TUB in the presence of greatness: David Sibley and Kenn Kaufmann

Whilst at the Festival is was announced that the US’s second ever Amazon Kingfisher had been discovered literally 15 minutes down the road. Thus began a mighty twitch – the like of which I have never seen before on US soil!